Competitions

FRANKIE EARNS ENGLAND EURO CALL UP!

Team England boss Mark Downes has named his team to compete in this year’s European Championships in Slovakia, with a new face added to the side to do battle on two very different venues.

Joining the squad is Frankie Gianoncelli who will travel as a reserve but will be ready to step in if needed across the week. He’ll line up alongside established internationals William Raison, Steve Hemingray, Matt Godfrey, James Dent, and Cam Hughes.

They’ll be faced with the mighty River Vah, scene of Alan Scotthorne’s 2003 World Championships win, and the Slanva Reservoir near Piestany across the weekend of June 28 and 29, and winning gold will be the name of the game after a bronze medal in 2024’s event.

“The venue was originally going to be the Slanva Reservoir, a 2m – 3m deep lake, but due to being unable to work on the bank in certain areas of the reservoir, it is now being held on both the lake with three sections and the River Vah for two sections,” Mark explained. “You cannot get two more differing venues. The river is deep and powerful with up to 50g flat floats required while the lake is a 90 per cent waggler venue. To accommodate the difficulties, you will be able to name your anglers to go to each venue, something that has never happened before at this level.”

“With regards Frankie, he has had a great few seasons with his highly successful Drennan Barnsley Blacks team and his performances in the UK’s only FIPS international rules event, the Sensas Challenge, have been exemplary,” Mark continued. “We are sure that both waters will be a good fish-catching venues and the team will be perfectly prepared. It will be a challenge, but we’ll be on our game and looking to secure gold and retain our position as the No 1-ranked European Championships team.”

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